17 March - Hamilton - South Africa Captain Sune Luus post-match press conference

Reporter: Just given that it's two weeks and four matches into the tournament, are you resigned to the possible reality that your matches are just going to be close ones this tournament?

Sune: Yeah, I think you need to get a look at where we’re playing, as well as the situation of everything. I think we’re at a World Cup and I don't think any game is coming easy anytime soon. So I think it's actually getting harder with Australia, with India, still coming up, so we've prepared to play every game hard, even if it's tough every game and takes us to the last over.

Reporter: Another close game. Pretty sure the supporters are watching – Four of four wins. Next up is a team who has been firing - the Australian women's side – will this be a litmus test prior to the playoffs?

Sune: Yeah, I think so. I think they're a very good team, obviously being on top of their game. So I think we - I don't think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves that game, I think it's a game where we can improve what we want to and start playing a bit of better cricket – like I said - I think it's just a game, we're going to look at ourselves and focus on ourselves and see what we can improve on. But I still think it's going to be a tough game of cricket and very competitive.

Reporter: Just if you can summarize Marizanne Kapp again and those crunch moments at the end of the game. You know, what type of a character is she in those situations? What makes her so good in those situations and how important is she for you as a skip? You know, in those big situations at the end?

Sune: Yeah, thank you. I think Marizanne has nerves of steel - She definitely takes it better than all of us could. So I think she's the right person for that time of the game. But I think she has a lot of experience. She’s obviously played all around the world in all these kinds of situations. So I think she's a very calm aid especially in situations like that. So I think she's just saying as all you know, how to stay calm and just how to back your own skill and finish the game off.

Reporter: I guess. It's nice to win, but there must be some issues that you guys were looking at in the batting. So you know, we've seen consistently things like Tazmin Brits struggling to get off the mark and we’ve seen Mignon hasn’t been scoring a lot of runs Have you considered bringing Laura Goodall in. Are you happy with the way the batting lineup is doing generally?

Sune: Yeah, I think, you know, the way we've been going, we can always do better. Some players can always contribute a bit more. But I think with Tazmin, she showed us what she can do in the last game. against England. So we're fully backing her again in this game, and with mignon, she's a class player and we know it only takes one knock for her to get back on top of her game as well. And she played her 150th game today, so you can just imagine the experience that comes with that.

So I think they're not very full their big scores and contributing to the team in the way we want to, and hopefully playing Australia next, they can maybe lift their game and help us see that game through.

Reporter: If you look at your middle order, there is over a 1000 caps from mignon down to number nine - would you like to see her little bit calmer in situations than they were today - I mean, obviously Marizanne was calm, but the rest were a little bit more showing the experience in those clutch moments?

Sune: Yeah, definitely. I think obviously you want your experienced players to take it through and take it to the end. I think it's obviously something we will address after this game and just to see how we can improve on that in the next couple of games to come. Which obviously you would want your mignons and your Chloe's to finish the game off for you but it's still a game of cricket, anything can happen and I don't think people outside understand the pressure that comes with the World Cup game and situations like this.

You know, it's a game of cricket, so anything can happen. On another day they take it through.

Reporter: I just wanted to get a fitness update on Masabata - and also wanted to get a word from you on Mignons’ achievement of 150 ODI’s and how she's contributed to the team over the years as she's the first South African to achieve the feat.

Sune: Yeah, Masabata is doing okay, she just has a bit of a shoulder niggle, but I'm sure that we’ll sort it very soon and then Mignon is a world class act. I think she showed it over the years playing 150 games for the country and she has been such a player that you can always rely on and she's obviously a great human being as well. So I think you know well onto her 150th and hopefully not the last one.

Reporter: You spoke about the pressure in these tight games and it's been a couple in a row for you. But it could be a bit of a blessing in disguise to help the least experienced players to deal with that pressure in the later stages of the competition when it could really count the most.

Sune: Yeah, I think every game sets us up for potentially the semifinals and for big games to come. I think every game for us is a learning curve and especially the players that's making the debut at a World Cup. Every game is a new game with new situations and you know, the type of pressure that they've never really had to experience before. So I think we take positives out of every game and we look forward and see how we can improve and talk about the pressures of the game and how we can handle that better.

Reporter: Obviously four from four now you guys are pretty much on the verge of making it into the semis already with three group games left. Does that sort of take the pressure off the last three which you guys need - maybe won one to get through there? And you know Australia next up, the team you guys haven't beaten up in about 20 games. Big moment there to maybe make a statement against a competition favorites?

Sune: Yeah, I think since we started this tournament, we didn't really put a lot of pressure on ourselves. We were just here to play good cricket and showcase our talent. I think for the coming games, it won't change. I think we'll just be doing what we've been doing because I think it's been working. So I don't think we're putting any pressure on ourselves for the next three games. Obviously it will be fantastic to get another couple of wins. And secure spot in the semifinal but we're just taking one game at a time and see what we can improve on. And then it'd be nice to get a good one over the Aussies, but they’re obviously a world class team and it's going to take a special performance from our team to be them.

Reporter: So besides the batting that you're doing very well, the way you were in the field today just marching in the troops was excellent. How much are you enjoying, just getting all those tactical - small little tactical field placings and all those type of things correct. And will we see you bowl a little bit more in the tournament?

Sune: Yeah, no, I think I have a lot of experienced players next to me on the field that makes my life a bit easier. I think the bowlers really know what they want and to make those little tactical changes in the field. You know, they really helped me with it. It's not just something that I come up with on the spot, it's been planned, it's been, you know, talked about – so I think it's just a really good team effort from management and from the bowlers to myself as well. And then yes, I would obviously love to bowl more but obviously depending on the situation in the game and what the team needs, so we'll see how it goes.

Reporter: You said that maybe people from the outside won't really understand the pressure of playing in the World Cup, which I guess we can all take as given that we’re not there with you. But can you put it in words for us. I mean, can you describe what it was that you were experiencing in those last few overs? You know, when the wickets were falling and the run rate was going up? How does it feel to be in that situation?

Sune: You know you look at that and I think it's moments like that where you just appreciate the game of cricket and the players you with I mean, you know most of the teams have been on a tour before this. So we've been away from home since the start of January. And with that, it's difficult to be away from your family for so long and still perform and still turn up every day. Just giving your best and giving your all and I think when you get into situations like this, your heart just gets very full and the blood just keeps on pumping and I can't really put into words it's just a lot - but I think it just makes it very special when you do step over the line and you get that win and I think that obviously brings the group of girls and management closer together. And I think it's motivating for us to get home when we do after hopefully the final and see our families and then when you look back all the pressure and everything will be worth it.

Reporter: My question maybe just a little bit of a two pronged question. You speak about getting home and about pressure. You guys are seemingly dealing with the pressures of each and every game very well. I mean, be it losing the couple of wicket here and there and you know, unforeseen dismissals here and there, but talk about that pressure and how do you guys think you know, the people at home are doing and the support they've been giving you watching your games until the death and being behind you guys. What does that do for the side and a little message for them as well?

And I mean, just the last one on you as a captain how - it's been intense. But you speak as though you also are very much growing in this role as the captain I mean, it's been like a couple of years now that you've been in this role as well.

Sune: Yeah, I think I can only speak for my own family – I know I've put them through difficult times. And they obviously have to wake up at odd hours of the day to watch us play. I've already messaged my mom's boss to give her a couple of weeks off when I get home so we can just go on a holiday together because I think she's been as nervous as I am.

But yeah, the captaincy has been good. I have good support in the players and the management. And I'm just grateful to have this opportunity and to help the team in whatever they need.

Translated from Africaans:

Reporter: Hi, it is Marnus here. I just want to find out how are your nerves holding it, because our nerves here at home are frayed. I have to say, well done, but wow, it must be hectic for you Sune?

Sune: No, it is very nerve wrecking. I think however people at home are feeling, we feel it ten times more here next to the field, and the people on the field as well. But it is a World Cup after all, you have to be prepared for the nerves, and all that goes along with it, but I think the way the girls are handling it at the moment is very good, we are all staying as calm as possible beside the field, and I think it shows at the moment.

Reporter: Congratulations Sune. Sune just shortly, you arrived at the World Cup as the nr 2 team in the world, and now all of a sudden you are the favorites for the tournament. Do you feel extra pressure now with the rest of the tournament that lays ahead?

Sune: No, I don’t think so I don’t think we are placing extra pressure on ourselves. I think at a World Cup there is so much pressure on everyone in anyways, and all the players are feeling it. So, I think it is unnecessary to place extra pressure by telling ourselves that we are the nr 2 team, and for that reason we have to be in the finals and we have to win every game. As I said, we take it one game at a time and we try and improve every time, and to take our games forward constantly. So I don’t think we are pacing extra pressure on ourselves.